Florida Child Support Calculator (2025)

How Florida Calculates Child Support

Florida uses the Income Shares Model governed by Florida Statute 61.30. This model is based on the principle that children should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received if the family were intact. The calculation considers both parents' income, which distinguishes it from simpler models like the one used in Texas.

The Florida child support calculation follows a structured worksheet process. First, each parent's monthly net income is determined by subtracting allowable deductions from gross income. The net incomes are then combined. The combined net income is referenced against the Florida child support guidelines schedule — a statutory table that specifies the minimum support need based on combined income and number of children. Each parent's proportional share is determined based on their percentage of the combined income. Finally, adjustments are made for health insurance, daycare costs, and substantial time-sharing.

Florida has a specific substantial time-sharing threshold of 73 overnights per year (equivalent to 20% of overnights). When the non-custodial parent exercises 73 or more overnights, a different calculation formula applies that reduces the support obligation to account for the direct costs incurred during that parent's time with the children.

Florida Child Support Guidelines Schedule

The guidelines schedule under Florida Statute 61.30(6) provides the minimum child support need based on the parents' combined monthly net income and the number of children. The following table shows representative amounts from the schedule. For combined income levels falling between the listed amounts, the court interpolates between the two nearest values.

For combined monthly net income above $10,000, the court uses the amounts at the $10,000 level as a base and may add a percentage of the income exceeding $10,000 based on the specific needs of the child and the standard of living the child would have enjoyed had the family remained intact. The percentages used for income above $10,000 are typically lower than those applied to income below the cap.

Net Income Calculation in Florida

Florida's child support guidelines use net income rather than gross income. Under Florida Statute 61.30(3), net income is calculated by deducting the following from gross income:

• Federal income taxes (actual or estimated based on filing status)
• State income taxes (Florida has no state income tax for individual income, though this applies if a parent earns income in another state)
• Federal insurance contributions (FICA) — Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%)
• Mandatory union dues
• Mandatory retirement contributions (only those required as a condition of employment)
• Health insurance premiums for the parent only (not including the children's portion)
• Court-ordered child support actually paid for children from other relationships

What Counts as Gross Income

Florida Statute 61.30(2)(a) defines gross income broadly as income from any source, including but not limited to:

• Salary, wages, overtime compensation, commissions, and tips
• Business income from self-employment, partnerships, close corporations, and independent contracts (gross receipts minus ordinary and necessary business expenses)
• Bonuses and incentive payments
• Disability benefits, workers' compensation, and unemployment compensation
• Pension, retirement, and annuity payments
• Social Security benefits
• Spousal support received from prior or current proceedings
• Interest, dividends, and rental income
• Trust and estate income
• Reimbursements and allowances to the extent they reduce living expenses
• Gains from property dealings unless the gain is non-recurring

Health Insurance Allocation in Florida

Health insurance for the children is treated as a separately calculated add-on to the basic child support guidelines amount. Under Florida Statute 61.30(8), the court must include the cost of health insurance for the children in the child support calculation.

The process works as follows:

1. Determine the reasonable cost of health insurance for the children. This is typically the difference between self-only coverage and family coverage (or self-plus-children coverage) through the providing parent's employer.
2. Add this cost to the basic guidelines amount to determine the total child support need.
3. Divide the total cost between parents based on their proportional share of combined net income.
4. Credit the parent who is actually paying the insurance premium for the full amount they pay, which reduces their cash child support obligation.

If neither parent has access to reasonable health insurance through employment, the court may order both parents to contribute toward private insurance or require them to apply for available government programs such as KidCare (Florida's Children's Health Insurance Program).

Childcare Cost Allocation

Net childcare costs — meaning the actual cost of daycare, after-school care, or summer care minus any applicable tax credits — are treated similarly to health insurance as an add-on to the basic guidelines amount. Under Florida Statute 61.30(7):

• Only childcare costs that are necessary due to employment or job searching by a parent are included
• The costs must be reasonable and consistent with what comparable childcare costs in the community
• The net cost (after subtracting the federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit) is added to the basic guidelines amount
• The total is then divided between parents based on their proportional share of combined net income

As children age out of daycare, the childcare component of the calculation typically decreases. Parents can request a modification when childcare expenses change substantially, such as when a child enters school and no longer requires full-time daycare.

Deviation Factors in Florida

Florida law allows courts to deviate from the guidelines amount under specific circumstances. Under Florida Statute 61.30(1)(a), a deviation of up to 5% from the guidelines amount is permitted without the court needing to make specific written findings. For deviations greater than 5%, the court must provide a written explanation of why the guidelines amount is unjust or inappropriate.

Florida Statute 61.30(11)(a) lists specific factors the court may consider when deviating from guidelines:

• Extraordinary medical, psychological, or educational expenses of the child that are not covered by insurance
• Independent income of the child (such as a trust fund or significant employment income)
• Payment of both child support and spousal support to the same parent, where the combined amounts would leave the paying parent unable to meet their own basic needs
• Seasonal variations in income or expenses that make the standard calculation unrepresentative
• The age of the child, recognizing that older children may have greater needs
• Special needs of the child including physical, emotional, or developmental disabilities
• Shared parental responsibility arrangements where each parent has the child for significant periods
• Total available assets of each parent and the child
• Impact of the IRS dependency exemption and child tax credits
• Established pattern of living expenses during the marriage or relationship

Imputed Income in Florida

When a Florida court determines that a parent is voluntarily unemployed or voluntarily underemployed, it may impute income to that parent under Florida Statute 61.30(2)(b). This prevents a parent from deliberately reducing their income to minimize child support obligations.

How Courts Determine Imputed Income

To impute income, the court considers:

• Employment potential and probable earnings based on the parent's work history over the preceding 36 months
• Occupational qualifications, including education, training, certifications, and professional licenses
• Prevailing earnings for comparable positions in the geographic area
• Evidence of any diligent job search the parent has conducted
• The parent's current living expenses compared to their reported income (to detect unreported income)

Exceptions to Income Imputation

Florida courts will not impute income in certain circumstances:

• The parent is physically or mentally incapacitated and unable to work
• The parent is the primary caregiver of a child under age 3, unless the parent was working during the relationship or other extraordinary circumstances exist
• The parent's reduction in income is truly involuntary (for example, layoffs due to economic downturn, company closure, or industry-wide changes)

The party requesting imputation bears the burden of proving that the other parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed. Courts look at the totality of circumstances, including the timing of the income reduction relative to the support proceeding.

Retroactive Child Support in Florida

Florida allows retroactive child support in certain circumstances. Under Florida Statute 61.30(17), a court may award child support retroactive to the date of the filing of the petition or the date of the birth of the child, whichever is later. Key points about retroactive support in Florida:

• For established paternity cases: Support can be retroactive to the date the petition establishing paternity and seeking support was filed
• For modification cases: The modification is effective from the date of filing the supplemental petition, not from the date the change in circumstances occurred
• No statute of limitations: There is no time limit on how far back retroactive support can be ordered in initial paternity cases, though practical limitations may apply
• Credit for past support: The court may give the paying parent credit for any financial contributions made for the child's benefit during the retroactive period

Because retroactive support can result in a substantial lump-sum obligation, it is critical to file for support as soon as possible when the need arises. Waiting to file reduces the retroactive period and may result in lost support.

Modification of Child Support in Florida

Florida allows modification of child support when there is a substantial change in circumstances that is material, involuntary, and permanent (or at least long-lasting). Florida also has a specific mathematical threshold that provides a clear basis for modification.

The 15% / $50 Threshold

Under Florida Statute 61.30(1)(b), either parent may request modification when the recalculated guideline amount differs from the existing order by at least 15% or $50 per month, whichever is greater. This provision creates an objective standard that makes it easier to determine whether modification is warranted without needing to prove an undefined "substantial change."

Common Grounds for Modification

• Significant change in either parent's income (job loss, new employment, substantial raise, disability)
• Change in the child's needs (medical conditions, educational requirements)
• Change in time-sharing arrangement (more or fewer overnights)
• Change in health insurance costs or availability
• Change in childcare expenses (child starting school, change in care arrangements)
• A child reaching the age of majority (18, or 19 if still in high school)
• Remarriage or new children (considered but not automatically grounds for modification)

Filing for Modification

To modify child support in Florida:

1. File a Supplemental Petition for Modification of Child Support in the circuit court that issued the original order
2. Include a current Financial Affidavit (Form 12.902(b) or (c))
3. Serve the other parent with the petition and supporting documents
4. Attend the hearing where the court will evaluate whether modification is warranted

The modification takes effect from the date of filing the supplemental petition, not retroactively to when the change occurred. This underscores the importance of filing promptly when circumstances change.

Other State Child Support Calculators

Florida Child Support FAQ